Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said he had a countdown going. The big day was circled on everyone's calendar. As it neared closer and closer, Cardinals players began tweeting about it hours before it actually came.
On Monday, cornerback Patrick Peterson was able to return to the team after his suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Those six weeks gave teammates and coaches plenty of time to prepare for his welcome back.
Coach Kliff Kingsbury joked postgame Sunday that he would anxiously wait up all night in his office.